Humboldt: Rio Dell man arrested after threatening to use weapons of mass destruction

The Rio Dell Police Department arrested on Jan. 29 Bradley Dietch, 47, of Rio Dell, for making threats to use weapons of mass destruction against various locations and government facilities.

Dietch made these threats via the 911 system, starting in Nov. 2012 using a cellular telephone, making it difficult to determine his exact location. With assistance from the Fortuna Police Department, investigators were able to determine the calls were coming from a location in Rio Dell. Additional investigation revealed the individual responsible for making the calls and a search warrant was sought and issued for his place of residence and his person.

The Rio Dell Police Department requested mutual aid from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit because of the nature of the threats that had been made by Dietch. EOD technicians rendered the motor home safe, removing two suspicious items from the motorhome and destroying them. The items were later determined to be used for manufacturing drugs. Several nearby motor homes and trailers were evacuated temporarily for the safety of residents. Because of the nature of the threats made federal law enforcement was made aware of the investigation and kept apprised.